Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 12.5% of attorneys, quite significantly more than the general population’s rate of 4.4% according to a study by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs. Factoring in these numbers, it is evident that there is a pronounced need within the legal fraternity to address this condition and provide requisite support to those affected by it.
Recognizing this need, the law firm Goodwin Procter has stepped forward. As reported by the ABA Journal, they have joined hands with Dixon Life Coaching to launch a three-month initiative titled “The Focused Lawyer Coaching Group.”
This program encompasses virtual group workshops and discussions, aiming to help participating attorneys identify what they need to flourish and strategize the steps required to improve their skills as well as work productivity. Another crucial aspect involves co-working, the practice of creating an online space for lawyers to interact, discuss goals, and manage their individual caseloads while maintaining visual presence for accountability.
Elaine Ventola, Goodwin Procter’s director of career coaching, acknowledged the successful impact of the program. Participants reported feeling “way more engaged with their work and having a greater connection to the firm since participating.” Similarly, associate Carrie Garber Siegrist praised the initiative, observing it as a significant shift away from the stigma and misunderstanding traditionally associated with ADHD in the legal profession.
The initiative undertaken by Goodwin Procter represents a positive step toward providing much-needed support to attorneys with ADHD. It sets a precedent that other firms across the industry could do well to follow.
Credit: Above the Law (Original Article)